Very long wait wasn't it.
I'm sorry but studying for exams is tough and this became a stress easier along with my headful of other ideas.
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters, settings, and such. The only thing that may or may not belong to me is the character Selena, which I will drag though hell, back and round again just for my own fleeting happiness and may be a few reviews.
Hermione was first to lower her wand. "Where did you go?" She asked curiously as the group headed inside the tent.
"We destroyed the fifth horcrux." Severus answered.
"How?" Hermione asked. Selena slipped away to the kitchen and began making tea. "What's left now?"
"Just the snake," Severus replied collecting his own cup and sitting on the sofa.
"And the madman!" Selena added as she sat down cross legged on the floor.
"So how are we going to confront him?" Draco asked. Hermione looked perplexed. "We will need more than four to fight him and the rest of the death eaters!"
"We should call in the order," Hermione suggested.
"We should, but that's not enough people yet." Selena pointed out.
"There's the auror division to call on!" Severus stated his eyes on Draco. Hermione was watching the pair of them closely. "However before we plan war, Draco what do you intend to do about your family's safety?"
Draco paled slightly. "I've been thinking about that and what I got so far is out right asking them."
"That's not going to work!" Selena replied softly. Draco turned his steel grey gaze on her daring her to say why. "In the future, they were given the choice and they died for it!" Selena continued unabashed.
Silence reigned supreme until Draco's bellow destroyed it.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" He yelled pointing his wand at Selena who leapt to her feet but didn't respond to the assault.
"He died, in the future before I left!" Selena responded quietly.
"Lucius will be dead," Severus mused. Draco turned his glare to him. "When?"
Selena took a deep breath. "I wouldn't know anymore but I seriously doubt it!"
"Why?" Hermione asked.
Selena gave a reluctant snicker. "I came to change the future and I have been doing just so, the future is no longer the one I came from." Selena admitted and turned to Draco. "The madman still has use for your father so he would still be alive." Selena states before sitting back down. Severus was the only one who noticed that she never meet anyone of their eyes during her testimony.
"Why did my father died?" Draco asked softly after he pocketed his wand. A small sigh escaped from Selena.
"The madman was furious as his prisoners escaped and his very favorite died." She gave a dried laugh.
"He lost two very important generals that night." Draco caught a glimmer of Selena's face; it looked haunted, and lonesome.
Hermione stared in shock. "So he died because he had a tantrum?"
"That's how he works," Severus replied softly.
"Still how are we going to kill him?" Selena asked trying to change the topic before they dragged her ghosts out.
"He's using the Malfoy manor as headquarters, couldn't we kill him there?" Draco asked. Hermione paled.
"We are just four you know," Selena pointed out again. "There's the aurors and then the order but we still may be outnumbered."
The other three pondered on her words and spent the sleepless night bantering over a proper plan.
"How long does it take it plan a battle?" Hermione asked irritated from her position on the ground. With a groan she stretched out on the rug, with Draco surveying her thoroughly. Selena didn't notice but Severus observed as Draco's eyes lingered here and there on Hermione's hourglass figure.
Severus's smirk however caught Selena's attention. "Severus, do you have a plan?" Severus turned his gaze on her and his smirk intensified. Selena couldn't help but blush and hurriedly grabbed the nearest paper to disappear behind it.
"I believe it's time for bed." Severus announced sternly. "I'll keep watch!" None of the campers protested. Severus was the oldest with the most experience and most knowledge on Lord Voldamort's thoughts and Bellatrix's battle plan. They climbed into the bunk beds. Draco took the bottom bunk leaving Selena and Hermione to share the top one.
~~EE~~
It was a long time before the group got all the details organized and everyone informed. All that they needed to do is execute it. Severus sighed as he leaned back in the comfy couch in the Weasley's home. It felt weird sitting in the Weasley's home of all places but that was the headquarters of the Order of Phoenix. With Sirius and Harry dead, Bellatrix being the oldest of the Blacks owned Grimmauld Place. Selena didn't look too comfortable but her eyes had a faraway look in it that made Severus think that she was remembering something she rather not. Hermione stood outside with the rest of the order while Draco paced in front of the fireplace absorbed in serious thought.
"Is this it?" He asked slightly on edge that he had his wand confiscated when he arrive. Severus and Selena didn't like the situation either. Both Draco and Severus were responsible for Albus Dumbledore's death and Selena had just given the Order some serious truths to deal with.
"Does it matter anymore?" Selena asked finally returning to this plane. "The horcruxes are destroyed and we are essentially free. We've fought long and hard."
"But these people are supposed to be the light! Why can't they trust us?" Draco asked finally sitting down.
"Have you given us" started a red hair freckled boy. "Any reason to trust you?" finished his twin. "And what's up with Hermione?" asked the first. "Finally got her head screwed on right?" Fred completed with a look of satisfaction. "That's good."
Selena smirked as she watched how much attention Draco paid the exchange. "Fred, George, what are they talking about so long?" Selena asked with her head cocked to one side.
"Depends on whom…you're referring too!" Fred and George replied completing each other sentences but Selena was at a lost to say who was who.
"The order, what are they planning to do with us?" Selena clarified. Fred and George exchanged glances but at the same time, Arthur Weasley entered.
He looked around with a frown. "We lost Ginny, Harry and Bill was attacked by Greyback. Dumbledore is dead. There is no chance this plan will work. Even if we can be sure, why should we trust you?" Arthur announced. "The order wishes you…well, to restrain you and ask a few more question."
Draco paled further at this but Selena gave a slight nod. "What about Hermione?" She asked however Mad-eye Moody, Lupin and Tonks entered. Severus and Selena realized what was happening and allowed themselves to be bound by magical ropes. Draco on the other hand fought back. Moody grabbed Draco and pulled him outside. Severus and Selena followed Tonks, Lupin and Arthur.
Severus, Selena and Draco were dropped into chairs next to an already bound Hermione. Severus and Hermione looked at the hardened and angry faces of people who were their friend, who knew for their hardships, their fears and their insecurities. There was Fleur Delacour and her Husband to be, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Hestia Jones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, Mundungus Fletcher, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody and Ron Weasley.
Severus didn't look any of them in the eye yet Selena didn't mind. She was looking at each of them optimistically. Draco was trembling. Alastor was the first to speak after a long while staring at the each of the four. His blue eye quivered between the four of them but the normal one fixed on Draco. "Now, now, now, why should we trust the one who lead death eaters into Hogwarts?" Alastor asked. He turned his attention to Severus. "A seasoned spy? Albus may have thought you were trust worthy. How are we to know that you're not trying to lead us into a trap?" Alastor's eye shifted to Hermione. "Harry said that he was 'up to something' and no one cared to investigate?" Hermione didn't respond but shot Ron a pointed glare while Alastor turned both his eyes on Selena who didn't help the situation by turning her hair dark blue. "And what proof do you have? Tales of the future that we don't know? You could be making it up for all we know."
Alastor had convincing points against Severus, Draco and Selena but not against Hermione. The four under prosecution wasn't the only one who picked it up. "Alastor, you can't blame Hermione for not following Harry's suspicions. He had many misplaced ones in the past and according to Sirius, he was obsessing over it." Remus pointed out softly.
"Then who are we interviewing first?" Shacklebolt broke in.
"How about the death eater that had Albus fooled?" Moody asked with a predatory smile. The rest of the order nodded their consent and Moody hauled Severus to his feet. Tonks, Shacklebolt and Arthur went with him. Selena, Hermione and Draco didn't see where they went. Hagrid, Bill and Charlie remained to watch them whereas the remaining order members left.
Selena leaned back in her chair as best as she could with her hands tied behind her and settled in for a long wait however Draco wasn't looking so good and Hermione was concerned.
I promise not to paint the order in a bad light but they had just lost so many how could they trust this group?
But there is a certain animosity that would exist behind the aurors and the death eaters (regardless if they retired/quit) and I want it to be seen.